SCRANTON — The city on Friday formally renamed the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022.
The park, which abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station, had a renovation completed in December 2023. The upgrade included installation of a fire engine playset as an homage to the city’s firefighters.
The Scranton Fire Department honor guard was on hand Friday, Nov. 21, at the renaming of the North Scranton Mini Park on Wayne Avenue. The park was renamed for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Rick Lidle addresses a crowd at the renaming of the North Scranton Mini Park on Wayne Avenue on Friday, Nov. 21. The park was renamed for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. Walsh was Lidle’s stepfather. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti addresses a crowd at the renaming of the North Scranton Mini Park on Wayne Avenue on Friday, Nov. 21. The site was renamed for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Cathy Gavin addresses attendees at the newly renamed Tony Walsh Park in Scranton on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Gavin is Walsh’s sister. Formerly the North Scranton Mini Park, the renamed Wayne Avenue site honors the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the renaming of the North Scranton Mini Park on Wayne Avenue on Friday, Nov. 21. The park was renamed to honor the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
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The Scranton Fire Department honor guard was on hand Friday, Nov. 21, at the renaming of the North Scranton Mini Park on Wayne Avenue. The park was renamed for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
In July, Scranton City Council adopted a resolution from Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti to rename North Scranton Mini Park as “Tony Walsh Park,” in honor of Walsh.
Walsh
According to the resolution:
• Walsh was a lifetime resident of the city who “faithfully served” in the Fire Department for many years and was one of the original 16 members of Rescue Company 1 that provides fire suppression and technical rescue services.
• Walsh also was a proud Army veteran, who served as a military policeman during the Vietnam War.
• For over 45 years, Walsh also worked loyally alongside his sisters and wife, Sandra, at Stirna’s Restaurant, a family-run, North Scranton institution.
• Affectionately known as “Champagne” Tony Walsh, he also was a beloved and appreciated member of the Scranton community, as partially evidenced by the dedication of the 2024 Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade to his memory.
Walsh’s obituary said he was an avid sports fan who enjoyed golf and Penn State football, and he enjoyed attending Nittany Lions games while his grandson, Jake, was a student. And when it came to holidays, Walsh knew how to celebrate and always took great pride in his Halloween decorations and hosted Christmas parties for years with family and firefighter friends. Walsh also had a special bond with his sisters and brother and took great pride in the fact that he was a Walsh.
A crowd of about 100 people attended Friday’s ceremony at the park that included an unveiling of a new “Tony Walsh Park” sign, which also says, “Dedicated to Tony Walsh, Scranton Firefighter, Original Member of Rescue Co. 1, Vietnam Veteran and North Scranton Resident.”
“Tony’s life exemplified service, and it’s fitting that we dedicate this space, adjacent to Engine 8 and so close to Stirna’s Restaurant where his family’s business still operates, in his memory,” Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti said.
Walsh was a member of the Scranton Fire Department for 25 years.
“I had the pleasure of working with Tony for a short time early on in my career,” Scranton Fire Chief John Judge said. “What I remember most about him was his magnetic personality, passion for our profession, and that perfect mustache befitting a firefighter from his era. I can’t think of a more fitting tribute than dedicating this park to his memory. His love for the City and the Scranton Fire Department was only overshadowed by his love for his family.”
Walsh’s sister, Cathy Gavin, said of the park being named for her brother, “He would be overwhelmed to think they would do this, without a doubt. I know he’s crying right now up in heaven. But Tony Walsh never leaves us. There’s such a history, it’s wonderful.”
“He would be honored, totally honored,” Walsh’s stepson, Rick “Nuppy” Lidle, also said. “This is a perfect setting to honor Tony. We’ll remember him forever.”
Scranton on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 formally renamed the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 formally renamed the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. Unveiling a new sign are, from left, Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti; Walsh’s granddaughter, Lexi Walsh; and Walsh’s sister, Cathy Gavin. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 formally renamed the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. Unveiling a new sign are, from left, Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti; Walsh’s granddaughter, Lexi Walsh; and Walsh’s sister, Cathy Gavin. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton is renaming the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton Firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park, which abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station, had an overhaul completed in Dec. 2023 that included a kiddie-sized fire engine playset apparatus because of the close proximity of the Engine 8 station. Photo taken Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton is renaming the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton Firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park, which abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station, had an overhaul completed in Dec. 2023 that included a kiddie-sized fire engine playset apparatus because of the close proximity of the Engine 8 station. Photo taken Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
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Scranton on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 formally renamed the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the renaming of the North Scranton Mini Park on Wayne Avenue on Friday, Nov. 21. The park was renamed to honor the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti addresses a crowd at the renaming of the North Scranton Mini Park on Wayne Avenue on Friday, Nov. 21. The site was renamed for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
The Scranton Fire Department honor guard was on hand Friday, Nov. 21, at the renaming of the North Scranton Mini Park on Wayne Avenue. The park was renamed for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Rick Lidle addresses a crowd at the renaming of the North Scranton Mini Park on Wayne Avenue on Friday, Nov. 21. The park was renamed for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. Walsh was Lidle’s stepfather. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
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Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the renaming of the North Scranton Mini Park on Wayne Avenue on Friday, Nov. 21. The park was renamed to honor the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)